Chapter Nine Ex Girlfriends and New Beginnings

Disclaimer: Any characters other than Athena and any situations related to the book or any other Harry Potter related items belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I do not gain any money from this. I only write to relieve stress and to get the ideas out of my head.

A/N this is only my second fanfiction so I'm still new at this. This is my first Harry Potter fanfiction so if anything seems out of character I'm sorry. Feel free to leave a review or comments on anything I messed up on or if you have a suggestion for the story. Don't feel obligated to give me a review though. I appreciate everyone who reads my stories. Reviews are bonuses in my eyes so like I said don't feel obligated to leave one. Thank you also to those who have added this story to favorites or following I appreciate it. ".."=talking '..'=thinking *..*=text message/notes

The next morning Athena walked into her kitchen rubbing her eyes as she worked on making herself some coffee planning on going out and about on the beautiful Saturday morning now that she didn't have to worry as much. She leaned against the counter as the coffee maker worked on preparing a pot of the blackest coffee she had.

Elsewhere in London Hermione was sitting in a park near her flat reading a book enjoying the sunny morning glad it was not raining. Harry was working on paperwork in his study having put it off to spend time with Athena the night before. Ron was hanging out with his family since Ginny was home due to her not having a game that week.

Neville was with Ginny spending time with her while other teachers were escorting students around Hogsmeade. "So I've heard that Harry is dating again?"

Ron looked at Neville "yeah he met the American version of Hermione a few weeks ago and they hit it off. She's a nice girl and seems good for him."

Ginny looked at Ron "will we be seeing her and Harry today?" she asked wanting to somewhat start over and try to get to know the girl who was now Harry's girlfriend.

Ron "I'm not sure. Harry had some paperwork to finish and I don't know what Athena's plans are. I know Hermione wanted to have an alone day so Athena may have the same idea."

Back at her flat Athena finished drinking her coffee before heading into her bedroom to get ready for the day debating if she wanted to go for a run to the local park or if she wanted to curl up on her couch with a good book. She changed into a loose t-shirt and a pair of running shorts before tying up her sneakers and heading out the door making sure her phone and keys were safely tucked away with her as she ran.

Hermione looked up hearing someone run towards the park and the faint hint of music coming from the headphones she blinked surprised to see Athena leaning over the water fountain at the park. She put her bookmark in the book before getting up and lightly tapping Athena's shoulder.

Athena looked up pulling out a headphone "oh hey Hermione. I figured you would be at the Weasleys enjoying the lovely day. I heard Ginny's team didn't have a match this week and was coming home for the weekend."

Hermione "yeah I'm going to go over to the Weasleys for dinner. I figured I'd let them spend time with Ginny and not get overwhelmed by it and then pop over for dinner later. So I'm guessing you are spending time away from Harry this morning?"

Athena took a quick drink of water "he said he had some paperwork to finish since we spent yesterday afternoon together so I'm not really sure if we have plans for today or not. I figured since I'm not being followed by guards any more I would go for a run like I used to in Boston on the weekends."

At Grimauld Place Harry finished the paperwork and sent it via owl to the department head. He looked at the paper scanning the sports section surprised to see that Ginny's team didn't have a game this weekend. 'I guess I should stop by the Weasleys to see Ginny and Neville since they without a doubt will most likely be there. Maybe I should take Athena with me and hopefully the two girls can be friends I hope since they will see a lot of each other as the Weasleys are basically my family.' He found some parchment and began writing a note to Athena. He blinked hearing a tapping noise on his window he opened it noticing pig flying outside his window he untied the letter from the owl's leg feeding it a treat before unrolling the parchment surprised to see Ginny's handwriting.

Back at the park Hermione nodded "I'm not surprised that he put it off. He and Ron always seemed to wait until the last minute to work on their essays and then they wanted me to help them. So you like to run?"

Athena rubbed the back of her neck "yeah it was something I did in my free time when I wasn't playing quidditch or doing school work or attending classes at Salem. It's actually a great stress reliever to exercise and since I had no interest in playing professionally I figured I'd find a new exercise hobby to keep me in tip-top shape."

At the Burrow Ginny looked up as Pig flew in the window she unrolled the piece of parchment attached to his leg smiling as she read the contents of the letter "Harry and Athena will be coming by later on. Hopefully this meeting with Athena will go better than the last one. I was really rude and I want to make amends and maybe become friends with her."

Neville kissed the top of his girlfriend's head glad she had not only accepted that her relationship with Harry was changing and that they had both moved on. "I'm glad you are willing to try to be friends with her seeing as she is important to Harry. It is also nice of you to want to make amends for your first meeting from what I heard both of you were rude to each other."

Ron looked at Ginny proud of his sister for letting Harry go to be happy with someone else "well that's good that they will be coming this afternoon probably with Hermione. I'm proud of you Ginny for willing to try and be friends with Athena and that you have allowed both yourself and Harry to move on and be happy."

At Grimauld Place Harry got up from his study going to get ready for leaving the house to go find Hermione and Athena and ask them to accompany him to the Burrow. 'Hopefully Athena won't mind coming to the Burrow even though Ginny is there. I know the first meeting they had didn't go well and I don't need them to be fighting. I would like my ex-girlfriend and my new girlfriend to be friends especially considering my ex-girlfriend's family has basically become my family and I don't want to have to avoid them whenever she's there because she can't get along with Athena.'

Hermione looked around the park they were at as she returned to her seat on the bench "do you think if Harry asks you will visit the Burrow even with Ginny being there?" she asked curiously as she observed the various groups of people enjoying the nice weather.

Athena sat down on the bench next to Hermione she ran a hand through her hair releasing it from the ponytail it was in "I will go. I think Ginny and I just got off on the wrong foot and I think if we had a chance to redo our first meeting it probably would have went differently. I know that the Weasleys are family to Harry and I wouldn't want to make him avoid them just because Ginny and I couldn't be civil. So if I go and I can't be civil I'll leave and let Harry stay because I wouldn't want to ruin his plans and like I said they are his family it would be wrong for me to make him choose."

Hermione smiled "you really are the perfect choice for Harry. You understand him better than a lot of people and you are a better person than people probably give you credit for. I know it can be hard to try to be friends with someone after you got off to a bad start but if you are willing to try that shows how much you actually care about Harry and not his fame and status."

Harry walked up to the girls he blinked hearing the giggling from Hermione "so what exactly are you two talking about Hermione? I'm surprised you aren't with Ron at the Burrow but then again since Ginny and Neville are there I'm sure I can understand." he asked seeing the smile on her face.

Hermione looked up at Harry "we were actually talking about you." She looked at him surprised to see him out since he had to do paperwork "is your paperwork all done now?"

Harry sat down next to Athena "yes Hermione my paperwork is all done now. Do I ever dare to wonder what could have been said about me between the two of you? I'm not sure if it is a good or a bad thing that the two smartest people I know, one of which is my girlfriend, happen to be talking about me." He looked at Athena noticing the running gear she was wearing "are you a runner Athena?"

Athena "yes I am. I didn't want to play professional quidditch so I found that running keeps me in shape like quidditch so I run now. It's just something I do in my free time to keep me in shape and gives me something to do when reading and work don't keep me occupied. As for us talking about you it wasn't anything bad I promise."

Harry looked between Athena and Hermione not really believing that information they had been talking about hadn't been bad. "Well I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to the Burrow this afternoon for the weekly Saturday dinner. I know Ginny will be there so if you don't want to go I will understand."

Athena giggled "that's actually what Hermione and I were talking about. If I would go with you over to the Weasleys for dinner knowing Ginny would be there. As I told Hermione I think Ginny and I got off on the wrong foot and I wouldn't want to put you in a position where you had to avoid the Weasleys because of the problems between me and Ginny. I'm willing to try to start over with her if she wants to. If I feel I can't be civil I will leave but I won't force you to leave when they are your family."

Harry blinked surprised before kissing the top of her head and putting his arm around her "you are so amazing. A lot of girls want to be with me because of my fame and status but you aren't like that and a lot of girls would make me choose between them and my second family when there has been an argument but once again you surprise me."

Athena set her head on his shoulder thinking "yeah I guess most people wouldn't be as open to second chances and trying to forgive and start over but I honestly feel like Ginny and I didn't meet under the best circumstances and that led to the bad first impression which isn't fair to either of us."

Hermione glanced at the two "well I suppose if we are going to head over soon since it is after noon then we better go and change since I doubt Athena wants to visit in her running attire."

Athena looked down at her watch surprised to see it was indeed after noon she hopped up "I really should change. I don't think my running attire is all that appropriate for a weekly dinner with your family. I'll meet you guys back here in 20 minutes?" she headed off back to her apartment surprised at how much time had passed talking to Hermione.

Harry looked at Hermione "were you really just talking about me asking her to join us when we went over to the Weasleys and dealing with Ginny?"

Hermione nodded "that and the fact that she is a better person than we would have thought considering she didn't want to be with you for your fame or status."

Back at her apartment Athena ran into her bathroom taking a quick shower before changing into a long sleeve red blouse and a pair of jeans before twisting her hair up into a bun hoping that this meeting with Ginny Weasley would go better than the other one had. She rubbed her temples worried before heading out of her apartment and back to the park forcing herself to calm down.

Harry looked up as Athena placed a hand on his shoulder letting him know she was there "hey you look nice. Are you ready to go?" He stood up slightly nervous of how the girls were going to act in the presence of each other.

Hermione stood up "let's hope there are no catfights." She said before walking with the two to an alleyway before apparating to the apparition point of the Burrow.

Ginny glanced out the window she smiled seeing Harry, Athena, and Hermione "they are here Mom." She blinked surprised when she was hit with nerves worried that Athena may not be as open to starting over as she was.

Neville looked at Ginny noticing how tense she was "it will be ok Ginny. I'm sure if Athena is as good of a person as everyone says she is that she will be willing to give you a second chance."

Harry looked at Athena noticing she was fidgeting "I'm sure you'll be fine Athena."

Athena took a deep breath before walking inside after Harry and Hermione she looked at Ginny as she made her way into the living room "hi Ginny. Do you think we could start over? I feel like our first meeting really didn't go well and left us with a bitter relationship. I don't want it to be hard for us to be around each other and make it awkward for Harry to be here either. Also I'm sorry for being as rude as I was" She mumbled part of her speech not sure what to expect.

Ginny let out a sigh of relief "I'm so glad you said that. I was hoping that we could start over because like you I felt that we didn't meet under the best circumstances. I am sorry for belittling your intelligence and looking down on you at the first meeting. I'm glad you are with Harry helping him move on because it allowed us to have closure and finally move on and be happy. I don't want to make it where Harry has to avoid being around my family because you and I can't get along. Hi I'm Ginny Weasley I play chaser for the Holyhead Harpies and I'm dating Neville Longbottom."

Athena bit her lip to keep from giggling at the introduction "nice to meet you Ginny. I'm Athena Blaze I work as a lawyer in the Magical Law Enforcement department and I'm dating Harry Potter." She offered her hand out to the other girl smiling.

Ginny shook her hand before moving out of Neville's embrace "do you want to go outside and get to know each other better? I know the boys are going to start playing quidditch soon enough."

Athena nodded before following Ginny outside smiling glad that they were trying to be friends knowing the Weasleys were important to Harry. Harry headed outside after the girls once the elder Weasley children organized a quidditch game. Hermione sighed following not liking quidditch but taking the job of score keeper since it allowed her to stay on the ground. Molly worked on making dinner for the group letting them play quidditch to keep them out of the house. Arthur was in his shed working with muggle artifacts happily.

Harry looked at Athena noticing they were two quidditch players short of having even teams "when you played quidditch Athena what did you play?"

Athena looked up at him curious to why he wanted to know "I played seeker most of the time and played chaser for a year or two."

George chuckled before looking at Ginny and Athena "ok you two come join my team. We finally have a seeker besides Harry that may actually be able to keep up with Harry. Charlie is usually the seeker but he isn't really a match for Harry no offense brother."

Ginny summoned her broom before changing her outfit to quidditch robes matching the red color George was wearing. She flew up by her brother smiling. Athena blinked thinking realizing she didn't have a broom she walked over to Hermione whispering quietly before smiling as Hermione disappeared only to reappear a few minutes later with one of the latest broom models. She changed her outfit to quidditch robes before flying up to join the others glad Hermione had been able to get her broom missing the feel of flying.

Soon enough Ginny scored the first goal passing it neatly through the hoops passed Ron. Ron let out a groan of frustration. Athena was looking for the snitch flying around as she spotted the familiar glint of gold belonging to the prize. Harry kept an eye out avoiding bludgers being hit at him by George. Charlie was working on trying to get the quaffle to the goal post being guarded by Percy. Hermione watched the different teams trying to keep up with who was on which team. Harry's team consisted of Harry as seeker, Ron as keeper, Bill as beater, and Charlie as chaser. George's team consisted of Athena as seeker, Percy as keeper, George as beater, and Ginny as chaser. Neville cheered on Ginny's team as Ginny continued to score much to the frustration of her brothers. Athena spotted the snitch racing towards it narrowly avoiding the bludgers that Bill kept hitting her way. Mrs. Weasley walked out as dinner was done she watched the game for a moment before going to retrieve her husband. Athena managed to grab the snitch with her gloved hand a second before Harry cheering at the victory.

Hermione looked shocked since no one had beaten Harry when it came to the snitch "well the final score is 200-60. Victory goes to George's team." She watched the various members of the game fly down to the ground glad once they were all safely on the ground.

George let out a cheer before he hugged Athena lifting her up and twirling her around "we finally beat the Chosen One at quidditch."

Athena giggled being twirled around she glanced at Harry then smiled having a good time. Harry rescued his girlfriend from George making a face as George continued to sing about beating Harry for once. Ginny walked over to Neville. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley walked over to the group surprised to hear that someone had beaten Harry. Hermione gave her fiancé a kiss to cheer him up before heading inside for dinner.

After dinner Ginny and Athena sat on a couch talking and getting to know each other while Harry and Neville caught up. Hermione was working on wedding planning with Mrs. Weasley and the other Weasley wives. Ron talked with his brothers finding out what each had been up to during the week as their mother had planned the dinner since Ginny was going to be home. Mr. Weasley was talking with his sons. Harry glanced over at Athena surprised to see her and Ginny laughing to the point of having tears in their eyes from laughing so hard. He silently wondered what they were talking about but was glad to see the girls were getting along easing his worries.

Athena looked up feeling a pair of eyes on her. She glanced over at Harry before returning her attention to Ginny as she told another story about pranks George and Fred had pulled on Ron. 'Hearing these stories makes me wish I had siblings to grow up with but unfortunately I was a complicated enough birth for my mother so she couldn't have children after me. I wonder if that is how Harry feels when he isn't with the Weasleys or how Hermione feels.'

Hermione walked over to Ginny and Athena "well I'm glad to see you two are clearly getting along. I know there was some worry that you wouldn't." she sat down at the edge of the couch they were on glad her friends were being friends.

Athena smiled "Ginny was filling me in on some of the pranks Fred and George pulled on Ron. It sounds like there was a lot of fun and laughter in this house growing up. I can also understand why Harry calls you guys his family."

Ginny looked at Athena "I'm guessing from your statement that you don't have any siblings? I know this house was always full of laughter and pranks and sometimes I wished I was an only child but I realized I wouldn't have people to go to for advice or a laugh when I had a bad day."

Athena shook her head "no I don't have any siblings. I had a complicated birth that made it where my mother couldn't have any kids after me. I'm sure that is why my mother was always encouraging me to make friends with the neighbor kids and girls at school. Not that it went all that well since I wanted to spend my time with my nose in a book learning."

Harry excused himself from Ron and Neville noticing it was dark outside he walked over to Athena "you ready to go?"

Athena glanced outside then stood up nodding "probably should go since it is getting late." She turned to Ginny "maybe when you aren't as busy with quidditch we can have lunch?" Over the evening she had gotten to know the other girl and was starting to become friends with her.

Ginny nodded "I'd like that. I'll let you know when I have an opening." She gave Harry a small hug smiling "I'm happy for you Harry. She's a great girl and you seem happier than I've seen in a while."

Athena went to go say goodbye to the other Weasleys. George was thanking her again for helping them win before reminding her to visit his shop. Charlie and Bill were talking to their wives about to leave for the night. Percy had already left. Ron and Neville said their goodbyes to Athena before resuming their conversation about Hogwarts. Mr. Weasley talked to Athena about a particular muggle item while Athena waited for Harry to finish his goodbyes.

Harry returned the hug glancing at Ginny "thanks Ginny. I'm glad that you and Neville are happy as well." He said his goodbyes to the others before walking with Athena to the apparition point and apparating the two to Athena's flat.

Athena sat down in the chair nearest her tired from the different activities she had done "well that went better than I expected. I'm glad that Ginny and I got to talk and get to know each other." She let her hair out of the bun running her fingers through it stopping after a couple of seconds feeling a bit sore since she hadn't played quidditch in a while.

Harry glanced at the time surprised to see it was only 8pm but was dark outside he looked at Athena "I'm glad that you and Ginny were able to be civil and get to know each other. It's only 8pm so do you want to still hang out just the two of us or would you rather I leave for the night?"

Athena pulled out her phone after it buzzed in her pocket she smiled seeing the text from her mom before looking at Harry "I'm not really that tired or anything so if you want to stay and hang out that's fine with me."

Harry sat down on the couch before laying down on it staring up "it was nice to play quidditch again. I haven't really played since I left Hogwarts. I'm still a bit surprised you beat me since no one else has really done so."

Athena rolled her shoulders a bit sore she glanced at him "I guess I had luck on my side. I haven't played in a few years either so it was nice to get up in the air and play." She got up "do you want tea or anything?"

Harry "some coffee would be great if you don't mind." He looked around at the different movie posters on the walls before turning his attention to the photos lining the mantel.

Athena walked into the kitchen making a fresh pot of coffee leaning against the counter thinking about the past three weeks she had spent in London and how different her life was now. She poured two cups of coffee before heading back into the living room she set them down on the coffee table before sitting down in the chair "are you tired?"

Harry looked at her sitting up and taking a drink of his coffee "not really just unwinding since it has been a busy and long day. I was also taking in the décor of your apartment."

Athena looked at her lap stirring the creamer in her coffee not really up for black coffee "what do you think of my decorating?" she asked before taking a sip of her less bitter coffee.

Harry "it is more homey than Grimauld Place that's for sure. So what else did you do in school besides play quidditch and study?"

Athena set her coffee back down on the coaster "I had friends that I could hang out with that weren't study partners or quidditch players. Most of the time I was either studying or playing quidditch though so most of my friends were other quidditch players or people in my study group."

Harry moved over and patted the spot beside him wanting her to sit next to him and not in the chair feeling as if the distance was a bad thing. Athena rolled her eyes and sat down next to him before turning on the TV as a soccer game came on. She looked at the teams then leaned back realizing she didn't recognize them. Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders when she leaned back watching the soccer game with her enjoying spending time with her. Athena moved slightly so she was closer to him before setting her head on his shoulder watching the game. Harry looked at her before kissing the top of her head. He tightened the arm around her shoulder carefully not wanting to hurt her but wanting to keep her close to him.

Eventually it was 11:30 and the soccer match had ended. Harry stood up he looked at Athena "well I should probably go."

Athena stood up with him she nodded "yeah it's almost midnight. Thanks for taking me to the Weasleys with you. I had a good time."

Harry took her hand before tugging her closer and hugging her. He kissed her softly before releasing her and heading into the floo "good night Athena." He said before shouting out his destination and disappearing in the emerald flames.

Athena watched him disappear before going to get ready for bed suddenly exhausted as the long day finally took its toll. She laid down and fell asleep for the night with a smile on her face.

Song Choice: Gavin Degraw- I don't want to be